Attrition of doctoral students at the rate of 50-60% of those who enter the program, suggests the need to examine alternative strategies within educational institutions in working with doctoral students. The focus this paper is to suggest how incorporating Internet technology might be one alternative in reducing attrition in doctoral programs.
">There has been much literature published about concern over high attrition of students in doctoral programs. Denecke (2005) published that Pfizer, Inc., is sponsoring a $2 million, three-year study to investigate how to reduce doctoral attrition and increase completion rates. Malmberg (2000) published that approximately 65, 400 doctoral candidates will be lost to attrition across the United States during 2000-2005. Low completion rates of doctoral students’ results in tuition losses to the educational institution, and the doctoral dropout may experience psychological pain of failure and reduced life time earnings (Smallwood, 2004). The nation also receives reduced contributions in the form of tax revenues when doctoral students fail to complete their programs. While some attrition is expected and needed in all educational programs, The Washington Post (2006) published the attrition of students in doctorate programs is estimated to be between 50-60%. Given the perquisites required to meet admissions standards for acceptance into a doctoral program, this number is high.
Attrition of doctoral students at the rate of 50-60% of those who enter the program, suggests the need to examine alternative strategies within educational institutions in working with doctoral students. The focus this paper is to suggest how incorporating Internet technology might be one alternative in reducing attrition in doctoral programs.
